Our Own Worst Enemy

The Assault from Within on Modern Democracy

By: Tom Nichols

Narrated by: Tom Nichols

Over the past three decades, citizens of democracies who claim to value freedom, tolerance, and the rule of law have increasingly embraced illiberal politicians and platforms. Democracy is in trouble - but who is really to blame?

In Our Own Worst Enemy, Tom Nichols challenges the current depictions of the rise of illiberal and antidemocratic movements in the United States and elsewhere as the result of the deprivations of globalization or the malign decisions of elites. Rather, he places the blame for the rise of illiberalism on the people themselves. Nichols traces the illiberalism of the 21st century to the growth of unchecked narcissism, rising standards of living, global peace, and a resistance to change. Ordinary citizens, laden with grievances, have joined forces with political entrepreneurs who thrive on the creation of rage rather than on the encouragement of civic virtue and democratic cooperation. While it will be difficult, Nichols argues that we need to defend democracy by resurrecting the virtues of altruism, compromise, stoicism, and cooperation - and by recognizing how good we've actually had it in the modern world.

©2021 Oxford University Press (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A Hard Look in the Mirror

This book is a hard look in the mirror of our current society and priorities. Fascinating analysis of how we got here and where we may end up if we don’t do a critical course correction.

Perspective of an 80’s Republican

Great insight, well told. Not just a hyper liberal or Trumpish slant. Reality check for all.

Terrifying because it feels true

Nichols reads his own work well. I heard him talk on a podcast and so decided to listen to this book. It was excellent … and terrifying. I can only hope that we can reverse/avoid the trends and pitfalls in our current government enough to avoid the bleak scenarios he presents at the end of the book.

Absolutely brilliant in every way!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is the most candid, forthright, and (oddly) inspiring book I have read over a lifetime of very good books. I would say it is “honest” but it is *more* than honest. A current of deep, almost sacred, truth as well as a loving appreciation of history, hold this master work together. Thank you, Tom, for taking the time and focus to share so many of your well-considered thoughts and history with me. I feel larger as a result.

Dropped one star for not liking Indian food

Echoed a lot of my thoughts on changing liberal democracies. As a result I didn't see much to challenge my positions other than viewing our current situation with a bit more perspective given our media environment. Unfortunately solutions are just as hard to come by given that the issue is the people. You can't force people to not be purely selfish in their actions or think past immediate gratification. You can't come to a compromise with another party who only wants their way. If anything let's hope this book helps wake people up to stop just pointing fingers.

Great book

Great book. Fantastic perception and observations. Scared ending (I hope). A must read for all.

It’s what needs to be heard….

Yet as the author points out, it is a message many (if not most) will be reluctant to even try to listen to; never mind comprehend.
I am an enterprise architect and even in my career there is a push for “simple solutions”. The idea being complex solutions are wrong. But there is a point in all domains in which complexity can not be avoided. Our country, our democracy and our future is a complex domain. As such, simple, pendant assessments will neither capture the problems nor will they provide useful approaches for resolving them. The author does a wonderful job at not ignoring the complexity of both the problems and the solutions, while making the content approachable, easy to understand and relatable to the average listener/reader.
His analysis is fair and for the most point agnostic to party. He is thoughtful and forward focused while using the history as a tool to avoid similar future issues. I want all my family, friends and ideological opposites to hear or read this book. If needed I will buy them a copy. I think it should be part of the required reading of our late teenage citizens; and for many their parents too when their children are pre-teen. I will buy my local high school 3 copies.
Very well done sir, very well done.

Enjoyed

Nichols makes good points. The people who need this won’t read and/or listen.

* I enjoy books that the author narrates.

Devastating

Tom Nichols is a teacher and historian. This book rips the mask off our nation's pretentiousness about
being 'the land of the free and the home of the brave'. Current politics has been a mirror held up to
our culture, and we have much to grieve. There's work to do to steer us back to our roots, but as a nation,
we are so busy amusing ourselves with social media. Thank you Tom Nichols.

An important look in the mirror

It’s easy today and talk about “them” being the problem but, for almost all Americans, the problem to a greater or lesser degree is in all of us. Nichols talks about the factors and trends, many logical and reasonable in the moment, that contribute to our current state of political dysfunction.

If you’re familiar with Nichols, the main points of his argument won’t be new but he fleshes them out in valuable ways. Strong recommendation!